Genre 6 - Realistic Fiction- Book 2

Realistic Fiction Book Review

Joey Pigza Loses Control

By: Jack Gantos

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gantos, Jack. 2000. Joey Pigza Loses Control. New York : Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 0374399891

PLOT SUMMARY
In this sequel to Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key- Joey and his sidekick "Pablo" (his Chihuahua) goes to spend the summer with his estranged father and his grandmother. Joey approached his summer visit with anticipation because the last time he had seen his Grandmother she had put him in the “refrigerator” and his mother’s words of caution about his father kept ringing in his head “He can be, you know, wired like you, only he’s bigger.” Joey Pigza is a child that suffers from ADHD, but lately his life has been in more control since he had been wearing a patch with his medication. His somewhat since of normalcy abruptly changes once his visit with his dad begins. His dad’s reckless behavior puts Joey’s new found normalcy in danger by flushing his patches down the toilet. Joey struggles to win his father’s love without medication and by trying to be a winner by winning the baseball championship for him. Joey soon learns that winning the love of some of the dearest people is not worth putting yourself in jeopardy.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Jack Gantos’ protagonist Joey Pigza is character that adults and children alike can easily connect with. His portrayal of a child that suffers from ADHD is remarkable. “I saw Dad’s foamy shaving cream on the counter and suddenly thought it was a great time to something I have wanted to try.” There are many children today that are dealing with feeling normal, let alone with disabilities, divorced parents, alcohol problems and illnesses. This book offers a place where children can come to age with connections to their own problems. Gantos depiction of Joey’s life is plausible and will grab the reader’s attention from the first page. His gentle humor has the readers laughing out loud and cheering for Joey Pigza, even when he loses control.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Starred review Booklist- Ganto's skillful pacing, sly humor, and in-depth characterization make it a truly memorable read.

Horn Book- Readers will be drawn into Joey's drama by his ability to feel compassion as he struggles to maintain balance in an out-of-control world

CONNECTIONS
This book presents a great book to explore in a literature circle so dialogue can develop of how young people deal with problems.

Other Books By Jack Gantos:
Gantos, Jack. Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key. ISBN 9780786229123.
Gantos, Jack. What Would Joey Do? . ISBN 9780060544034.